Immigrant of the Day: Medical Student Leopoldine Matialeu (Cameroon)

Photo courtesy of News of the UC Davis Health Care System

Six years ago, Leopoldine Matialeu didn’t speak English that well and was living in a shelter with her younger sister after her mother had lost her job. Today, she is one of 109 UC Davis medical students dedicated to improving health who will begin classes on Aug. 6. Leopoldine Matialeu received her stethoscope as part of UC Davis School of Medicine‘s Induction Ceremony on July 28.

“My desire to pursue a higher education was a priceless gift that my dad instilled in me,” said Matialeu, “Growing up, I was taught to value religion, education and hard work. I came to the U.S. in 2005 when I was 18 to live with my mother to study in California. When we became homeless, I had already started taking pre-med classes at Canada College and was studying to improve my English. The school, shelters and nonprofit organizations were a tremendous resource. These experiences reaffirmed my interest in giving back to the community and becoming a physician who cares for underserved populations. I am honored to be a part of the Class of 2016.”

Matialeu immigrated from Bandja, a small village in the West African country of Cameroon. Fluent in French and Fefe, her native language, she studied and became fluent in English. In 2008, she graduated from community college with honors and was valedictorian. She received a UC Regents scholarship to attend UC Davis and graduated with an undergraduate degree in biochemistry in 2010. As an undergraduate student, she helped raise money to send to Sudan for medical supplies through the nonprofit group Doctors Without Borders and volunteered at the Imani Clinic in Sacramento, a community clinic that provides free non-emergency health care to the uninsured African-American community in Sacramento.

Only in America!

KJ